What happens when an aspiring teen chef from South L.A. meets the U.S. Surgeon General? + Did you buy a Powerball ticket in South LA? Claim your $866K prize!



Fremont High School senior Xiaxiang English served a chard-based salad to to the U.S. Surgeon General Friday.

Fremont High School senior Xiaxiang English served a chard-based salad to to the U.S. Surgeon General Friday. | Marisa Zocco, Intersections South L.A.

What happens when an aspiring teen chef from South L.A. meets the U.S. Surgeon General?
Fremont High School senior Xiaxiang English stood alongside U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy on Friday, promoting nutrition and access to fresh fruits and vegetables as a preventive health measure. (Los Angeles Times)

Did you buy a Powerball Ticket in South LA? Claim your $866k prize!

The California Lottery announced Thursday that a winning lottery ticket purchased at a Florence neighborhood meat market in South L.A. remains unclaimed. (MyNewsLA.com)

Renata Simril to succeed Anita DeFrantz as head of LA84 Foundation
Former Dodger and LA Times executive Renata Simril was announced the CEO of LA84 Foundation on Wednesday. The foundation is endowed with 40 percent of the surplus of the 1984 Olympic Games and has funded more than $225 million in grants to support youth sports programs in Southern California. (MyNewsLA.com)

Fish shack in Crenshaw a hidden gem



By Tanaya Ghosh
Listen to an audio story by Annenberg Radio News


Some of the best hidden gems in L.A. are tiny, unassuming eateries — and Mel’s Fish Shack is a prime example. If you’re a fan of delicious Cajun-style seafood fried up in a “homey,” friendly atmosphere, Mel’s is the spot for you.

The best part? Mel’s won’t force you to break the bank. Nearly everything on the menu is under $12. image

Mel’s Fish Shack is located in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles. The fish is served fresh from their market — which you can visit just a few blocks away.

Once the staff discovered we were first timers, we couldn’t stop the flow of free samples. “This is your first time here,” the cook insisted, “And we’re gonna take good care of you.”

One of the best samples? The creamy, dreamy crab soup. The soup is available only on Mondays when Mel’s gets their fresh crab. The shells are cooked right in the pot, infusing a richer taste into the soup.

I ordered the grilled red snapper with grilled vegetables. We also ordered a fillet of sole, fried in a light Southern-style cornmeal batter.

The warm side of hush puppies are crunchy, springy soft bites of heaven in a deep fried ball. Dip them into Mel’s signature garlic-dill tartar sauce or hot sauce and they’re even more delicious.

Now, I’m picky with seafood. But Mel’s totally won me over. The grilled fish is amazingly fresh, and has no fishy taste. Each cut is firm and subtly seasoned with Cajun spices that give it a slightly spicy kick. The flavor of the fish really shines through.

Mel’s Fish Shack is a hole-in-the-wall adventure that’s totally worth it. You might come for the fresh seafood, but you’ll keep coming back for the excellent hospitality.

If you want to check it out for yourself, visit melsfishshack.com.